Thousands of fake bomb threats sent to schools in Italy, UK and Ireland

Schools in Italy, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland simultaneously received hoax bomb threats via email from abroad. In Italy, at least 300 schools were rapidly evacuated after threats reached thousands of institutions, while classes continued without disruption in the UK and Ireland.

Schools across Italy were rapidly evacuated on Wednesday following bomb alerts. It was reported that approximately 6,300 schools received bomb warnings, with evacuations carried out at at least 300 of them. The situation caused concern among students and parents.

Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland also received similar email threats. However, authorities in these countries stated that the warnings were hoaxes and that classes were not disrupted. It was reported that the messages seen in Italy targeted Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, that the police are monitoring the situation, and that the Prime Minister stated the warnings posed no danger.

The emails received in Italy were signed by "Mikhail Andropov, leader of the Province of Misogynistan." While Russia and Iran denied accusations regarding the disruptions in European countries, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and school officials pointed to a strategy of spreading fear and anxiety.